Obama picks Hagel for defense, Brennan for CIA

Tuesday, January 08, 2013 - 02:12

Jan. 7 - President Barack Obama announces Republican former senator Chuck Hagel as his choice for Secretary of Defense and CIA veteran John Brennan as the head of the spy agency. Deborah Gembara reports.

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In Washington -- the president made known his choices for his national security team.
SOUNDBITE: U.S. President Barack Obama saying:
"Chuck Hangel for Secretary of Defense and John Brennan for director of the Central Intelligence Agency."
Hagel, a former Republican senator and military veteran is expected to face a tough fight winning confirmation on Capitol Hill.
Lawmakers on both sides say they're concerned about remarks Hagel has made about Israel, specifically his complaints that the "jewish lobby" has inordinate influence on congress.
SOUNDBITE: President Barack Obama's choice to replace U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, Chuck Hagel saying:
"I am also grateful for an opportunity to strengthen our country...
John Brennan's could also face opposition. A 25-year veteran of the CIA --- it's also not the first time he's been nominated. The former security advisor eventually had to withdraw his name in 2008 over questions about enhanced interrogation --- widely considered to be torture.
SOUNDBITE: U.S. Counter-terrorism advisor John Brennan saying:
"I will make it my mission to ensure that the CIA has the tools it needs to keep our nation safe, and that its work always reflects the liberties, the freedoms and the values that we hold so dear."
SOUNDBITE: United States President Barack Obama Saying:
"I hope that the Senate will act on these confirmations promptly. When it comes to national security, we do not like to leave a lot of gaps between the time that one set of leaders transitions out and another transitions in, so we need to get moving quickly on this."
If the two men are confirmed, they will round ateam that also includes former Senator John Kerry ---the president's choice to replace Hillary Clinton.